Malnutrition Appeal

MALNUTRITION IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM.

Ensuring children get adequate food not only prevents malnutrition, but also the conditions and illnesses caused by it, including stunted growth, muscle degeneration, diarrhoea, kidney failure and blindness. Around 150 million children worldwide suffer from malnutrition. And they need our help.

Emergencies make matters worse.

Malnutrition in children increases dramatically and kills most rapidly in emergencies, like in Haiti where up to 1.75 million children are estimated to have been affected by the January 12 earthquake. Most children do not die as a direct result of natural disasters, but of the resultant food shortages, lack of safe water, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation and hygiene. In Haiti, more than a quarter of the country’s children already suffered from malnutrition when the quake struck.

Nutrient deficiencies can easily develop during an emergency or be made worse if they are already present. When food supplies are interrupted due to lost livelihoods and food crops, diarrhoeal disease often breaks out, resulting in malabsorption and nutrient losses. Infectious diseases suppress appetites while increasing the need for specific nutrients to help fight illness.

It costs very little to help a lot.

• $250 can provide 172 packets of high energy biscuits specially formulated for malnourished
  children in emergency situations.
• $280 can provide life-saving therapeutic feeding for 65 severely malnourished children..
• $125 can provide enough vitamin A capsules to increase 58 children’s chances of survival. 

Please give all you can to UNICEF’s malnutrition appeal and help make a difference.

UNICEF is not funded by the UN.  We rely on voluntary contributions for our work with children.

Donate to UNICEF Australia’s Malnutrition Appeal online or call 1300 884 233.

JOIN UNICEF'S MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM

Join UNICEF's monthly giving program and create lasting change. By becoming a UNICEF Global Parent and making a regular donation of $35 or more, you can help build long-term sustainable communities for many children and their families.

Click here for more information or call 1300 134 071 to become a UNICEF Global Parent today.